by Karsten Bønsdorf, , USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Normally there would have been three eliminations with 10 starters each in the Swedish Hambletonian, Sprintermästaren, to be raced tonight at Halmstad in Southern Sweden. Tonight there are only 21 trotters entered – and the reason has a name. Nuncio.

After his very impressive performance in the Elitlopp, where he finished third, the 4-year-old Nuncio has scared competitors away.

No less that 12 of the 21 starters were raised and bred in North America and are now owned in Europe.

1st Elimination

Whitehouse Express (Yankee Glide – Miss Garland) – sold for 40.000 dollars – 1.57.4f

Nuncio (Andover Hall- Nicole Isabelle) – 1.50.3f

King City (Muscle Hill – Creamy Mimi) – 1.51.4f

Explosive de Vie (Explosive Matter – Ava) – 1.54f

2nd Elimination

Hillustrious (Muscle Hill – Mom’s Millionaire) – 1.52f

Volstead (Cantab Hall – Madame Volo) – 1.55f

Stand Bayou (Donato Hanover – Roux Hanover) – 1.59f

British Steel (Kadabra- Come Home E T) – 1.54.3f

Warrawee Perseus (Yankee Glide – U Can Cruise) – 1.58.4f

3rd Elimination

Secret Mission (Muscles Yankee – Dancing Filly) – 1.58f

Be Spontaneous (Andover Hall – Inspired Society) – 1.56.1f

Party Boat Hanover (Cantab Hall – Princess Cruise) – 1.56.1

Each elimination winner earns $12.000. The final pays $110,000 to the winner.